Launching St. Louis Metro’s New Flyer D60LFs – Ushering a new era

St. Louis Metro held a press conference and launch event on June 6th under the Grand Blvd viaduct. The articulated buses are set to begin service on June 9th, which will help improve connection between north and south St. Louis. The 70 Grand line has seen its share of overcrowding and these articulated buses will help alleviate this problem as well as reduce the need for 40ft buses to run this route. On June 6th Metro invited the community from all walks of life to come see the buses and the big changes coming to the Grand line.

On hand at the event were St. Louis City Mayor Francis Slay, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, and Metro President & CEO John Nations. The event was also attended by the USDOT representative Ahmad Mokhtee and MODOT Chairman David Dietzel. They addressed this ceremonial event to congratulate Saint Louis area development with the use of articulated buses to help improve service.

On Monday (June 9th), New Flyer D60LF 60ft articulated buses take to the streets on 70th Grand line bus. The full line of about ten miles with 7-8 articulated buses running by next week. However, before the end of this year all of the 15 New Flyer buses will replace the Gilligs running the 70 Grand line.

The Grand line is Metro’s busiest route with Monday to Friday daily passenger volume averaging 9,000 passengers who board the buses to head to work, school (St. Louis University and several high schools), visiting doctors (several clinics and hospitals along the line), shopping, and to entertainment venues. The Grand line is an economic artery in the St. Louis region.